~~~~~~
Austin stood back and let the men work. The awkward moments were long gone. Lady became the only thing important to everyone inside the barn. Austin stayed close, but out of the way as relief flooded through him. Mike was needed here. He knew exactly how to help whereas Austin knew nothing. He would have been at a total loss at helping Kitt bring the colt into the world.
At some point through the birth, Austin saw Kitt’s jacket hanging on the stall and put it on so he didn’t have to resort to putting on the come stained t-shirt he’d shoved up Kitt’s ass when the vet got there. All the tension of earlier was now completely gone, in its place an exuberance. Kitt’s smile wouldn’t leave his face.
Austin didn’t know for sure how this was going to play out, but he prayed for a simple end. He decided he’d promise to never come back to the barn again. He’d swear on his life he would stay at the cabin or his house waiting on Kitt there in the future. He’d also remind Kitt of Mike’s confidentiality agreement. Surely, Kitt would be able to see reason. And yet, Austin couldn’t stop the dread building in his heart.
~~~~~~
Doc deemed both mother and baby healthy and the birth a success. If you could judge anything on a newborn colt, this one looked good; strong and big, a perfect match to his father. His legs were already longer than his mother’s, a good sign of the size he would be. Kitt named the colt Hooch.
A yawn formed inside him, and Kitt cut his eyes up to the clock along the back wall. He was on an adrenaline high with exhaustion just under the surface. It surprised him that only a couple of hours had passed since this whole thing got started. The new little colt should try to stand in the next hour or two and he wanted to stay close by, making sure Lady was able to feed Hooch like she should. Doc left and Lady was already urging her colt to his feet. Kitt, Austin and Mike stood on the outside of the thoroughly cleaned stall, looking in.
The start of the night seemed a far distant memory. What Mike walked in on; it was funny how Kitt pushed the memory so far back in his mind, he almost convinced himself it didn’t happen. It was only the pesky wet spot in the back of his jeans that wouldn’t let him completely forget. For about the sixtieth time tonight, Kitt reached down and adjusted his t-shirt, hoping it covered the stain.
“I shouldn’t have barged in like that. I’m sorry,” Mike said into the quiet while they were all looking down at the horses. If Kitt was right, Mike’s tone mixed confusion with a hint of anger. Kitt understood and got it. He only glanced up for a second before his gaze cut away. He could feel the heat pooling in his cheeks as he thought over the best way to respond. Luckily, Austin stayed quiet. Thank God for small miracles.
All Kitt came up with was to try and steer Mike away from the truth. He didn’t know in what other direction, he hadn’t thought that far ahead. He tried hard to remember exactly the moment Mike walked in the room. Was there any chance Mike didn’t see everything Kitt thought he might have?
“This isn’t what you think.”
“You weren’t having sex with Austin in the break room?” Mike asked, hooking an arm on the steel gate while looking directly at Kitt with a grin on his face. He dared Kitt to lie to him some more.
“Okay, you’re right, Mike. That part’s what you think, but this isn’t a random deal,” Austin said, from behind Kitt. Kitt could only turn and stare at Austin. Why couldn’t he ever just keep his mouth shut!
“So you’re gay? You’ve been gay this whole time I’ve known you? Or is it a new development since Austin moved in? You know what? It’s none of my business.” Mike said the words to Kitt, then shifted his gaze to Austin, and then back to the horse. For a second, Kitt thought he may have seen hurt on Mike’s face, just like with Kylie. Out of all the scenarios Kitt thought could happen when people found out he was gay, hurt never crossed his mind. Why was Mike hurt?
“Now wait a minute.” Austin began, but Kitt cut him off.
“I’m gay.” Kitt spoke softly, and both sets of eyes landed on his. His heart hammered in his chest and his lungs paused in their normal, involuntary intake of breath as he said the words and told the truth for the first time in his life. “No one knows, but I’ve been this way my entire life. Mike, I don’t know what this is gonna do to us, but I need you to keep this to yourself.”
“It’s not a problem. As a matter of fact, I’m gonna try to do everything I can to scrub that from my memory,” Mike said with a harsh chuckle.
“Mike, it’s not what you think. I care about Kitt.” Austin piped in just as Kitt would have let the conversation be done and over with. He’d even started to move away from the stall. The words stopped him. He didn’t look up, he just stopped unsure if he wanted to hear what Austin had to say or not.
“Is he why you moved here? I thought you were gettin’ married. Or is that not right? Is it a swings both ways kind of kinky deal?” Mike tried for a cheeky response with a cocky grin on his face, but fell short, making even Austin pause, not sure how to answer.
“Look, I’m never breathin’ a word of this out loud again. Congratulations on the new colt, Kitt. He looks awesome just like you knew he would. Good night, and I swear your secret’s safe, buddy.” Mike pivoted on his heel and never broke stride out the back door.